Automatic fire protection for mining trucks

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Bur. Mines Technol. News; (United States)

OSTI ID:5494240

Temperature sensors mounted above the engine of the truck detect the heat from a fire while it is still small and controllable. A cab-mounted control panel warns the operator of the fire emergency and then automatically triggers the discharge of 60 pounds of multipurpose dry chemical extinguishing agent (from storage tanks through hoses and nozzles) into the engine compartment. If desired, the control panel can be field-adjusted by changing one resistor to delay the discharge for up to 60 seconds to allow time for the operator to stop the truck and shut down the engine. The system can be assembled with either pressurized storage tanks, or a combination of non-pressurized storage tanks plus separate pressure cartridges. This pressure source option is one of the improvements of this system over the earlier systems described in Technology News No. 11. Other improvements are a simplified control circuit and an improved sensor. The system's control circuit is internally monitored continuously for malfunctions. A fire is signalled by a red light and continuous tone, a malfunction by a yellow light and beeping. The system, can be manually triggered from the cab or from ground level. Location of the principal components of the system are shown in the drawing. The long-term ruggedness and reliability of the hardware was evaluated through actual in-mine, on-truck testing.

• OSTI ID: 5494240
• Journal Information: Bur. Mines Technol. News; (United States), Journal Name: Bur. Mines Technol. News; (United States) Vol. 79; ISSN TNBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
016000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ALARM SYSTEMS
COAL MINING
CONTROL SYSTEMS
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINE HAULAGE
MINING
SURFACE MINING
TRUCKS
VEHICLES